Cover image courtesy of Race Images PN
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Levante (NZ) (Proisir) was retired earlier this year. The champion mare retired with a record of 12 victories from 23 starts.
The daughter of Rich Hill Stud-based Proisir nabbed four elite-level victories in her outstanding career, claiming back-to-back victories in the G1 Telegraph H. and winning the G1 Waikato Sprint and G1 Maori S.
Levante (NZ) and Ken Kelso | Image courtesy of Darryl Sherer
She was arguably unlucky in her Australian forays but showed her class to finish fourth in both the G1 Newmarket H. and the G1 VRC Sprint to Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
Levante was farewelled from racing in Sydney when she performed with merit in the G1 George Ryder S. behind the mighty Anamoe and in the G1 Queen of the Turf behind Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel).
Tough decision
The rising 7-year-old mare was retired and entered the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May but was ultimately withdrawn.
There would have been little doubt that Levante would have been one of the top-priced lots given her racing performance and the recent exploits of Proisir.
Levante’s co-owner Philip Brown explained the decision to withdraw his star mare.
“Look, it was a very hard decision,” Brown said.
“My wife would have divorced me if I sold Levante. That was one good reason, and I’ve also become quite attached to her.
“My wife (Catherine) would have divorced me if I sold Levante. That was one good reason, and I’ve also become quite attached to her.” - Philip Brown
“We thought about it, and I sort of thought, I’ve had quite a lot of expenditure on the farm with the subdivision we’ve been doing, and that was part of the reason why I was tempted to sell her,” Brown told TTR AusNZ.
“But in the end, common sense prevailed, and I decided to keep Levante, and I’m glad I did.”
Brown admitted he would have loved to have seen Levante tick off that elusive Group 1 victory in Australia.
Philip Brown (red tie) and his wife Catherine pose with the trophy for the Counties Bowl along with members of the syndicate who raced Levante (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunnell
“I’d like to have ticked off a nice Group 1 victory in Australia. We won the Newmarket on the wrong side of the track, and Roch ‘N’ Horse won it on the right side of the track,” Brown explained.
“Levante only had a handful of starts in Australia, and she ran creditably every start, and we didn’t have a lot of luck in a couple of races, but uh, look, that’s the way it goes.
“She had a bit of wear and tear on her joints, being an older horse. We were sort of managing her carefully, so it was important to all of us that she retired sound.”
“She (Levante) had a bit of wear and tear on her joints, being an older horse. We were sort of managing her carefully, so it was important to all of us that she retired sound.” - Philip Brown
Next chapter
Brown is looking forward to the next chapter of Levante’s life now it has been confirmed she will visit the multiple Champion Sire Snitzel.
Snitzel has been an Arrowfield Stud mainstay since his retirement and is enjoying another fruitful season as a sire, including siring his second G1 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.
The son of Redoute’s Choice will stand the 2023 breeding season for $247,500 (inc GST).
Snitzel | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Brown explained why the Champion Sire was elected for Levante’s first mating.
“Well, look, he’s (Snitzel) not a hard horse to choose. His record as a sire speaks for itself,” Brown said.
“I think they will produce a lovely foal. I am pleased to be involved with Arrowfield Stud, their world-renowned farm, and I knew Levante would be well looked after there.
“Snitzel has been a tremendous sire. So, yeah, it was a bit of a no-brainer, really.”
“Snitzel has been a tremendous sire. So, yeah, it was a bit of a no-brainer, really.” - Philip Brown
Brown also confirmed that Levante would spend the next two years at Arrowfield Stud, with her progeny to be raised on the fertile ground and likely offered at auction when the time comes.
“Levante will be at Arrowfield for years. I have made a breeding arrangement with John Messara,” Brown said.
“We’ll see what sort of foal Levante has, and if it’s a nice foal, we’ll go back to Snitzel again; if the foal isn’t what we desire, Arrowfield has some well-credentialled stallions there, so I’m sure we’ll find a suitable mate.
“But I am pretty hopeful it will be a nice foal. Levante is a lovely mare with a wonderful temperament. Everyone who has had anything to do with her falls in love with her,” Brown enthused.
“The rest of her owners are racing enthusiasts, not breeders, but they were keen for her to go to stud and become a mum. It’s a new chapter now.”
“The rest of her owners are racing enthusiasts, not breeders, but they were keen for her to go to stud and become a mum. It’s a new chapter now.” - Philip Brown
Although the racing chapter of Levante has been sealed, Brown still has plenty to look forward to on the racetrack with the star filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), who he co-owns.
The G1 Australian Guineas and G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas heroine is set to return for the spring.
“Well, that’s why it was a bit easier to retire Levante because we had a pretty worthy replacement in Legarto,” Brown told TTR AusNZ.
“She’s going over to Melbourne in the spring; she’s a pretty special filly and one to look forward to.
“The next few years will be very exciting.”
